Alice Ever's Story

---

---

Killian looked at those around him with dull mistrust and forced calm. He was uncomfortable here, in such a small space with these Demons. The tension in the air was so thick it could have been cut with a knife, and the scent of the Blooded upstairs hung heavily in the small room. Killian's leg twitched and he forced back a low growl, so as not to disturb the silence that pervaded the room. Each Demon waited patiently for someone to speak, and he knew that each of them suffered the same. Knowing that the thing they desired above all else was just a moment away was nigh on unbearable, and Killian had to make a physical effort not to exit the room, and rush up the stairs to find his Blooded and take the unrefined power that ran through her veins. He twitched again, and looked at those seated at the table with him.

There was the Spider, sat perfectly still and contained opposite him. Killian dared to make eye contact with Kuro, who he had known for the shortest amount of time, and nodded slightly in a gesture of equality. The Spider unnerved him more than any of the others. It was the almost empty look in his eyes that spoke of a remorseless individual, and it fascinated Killian as much as he was wary of it. To his left, the Snake sat regarding them all with a curious concentration, but Killian wasn't too sure. He had seen snakes before, and in his experience, they rarely blinked, so maybe, Killian thought, Alice wasn't as angry as she appeared. But then again, they all appeared angry. Finally, to his right, was the Vulture. Ashe appeared to be thinking about something, but as with all the others, he couldn't be sure. She looked like she was concentrating on something, but then Killian reasoned that they probably all looked similar.

The silence was becoming torturous, and the room was becoming uncomfortably warm. Killian shifted a little, and his seat creaked awkwardly as he did. The Wolf grimaced at the noise that pierced the hushed room, and ran a hand through his hair. He wanted to leave. The room they were in was small, possibly the smallest in the Manor. It was little more than a door, four paneled walls and around table at which they were seated. Without windows, the room was lit simply by candles set to the wall, which sent a cruel, flickering light over the faces of the Demons sat together. Killian knew that it was nearing 7am, though, and he was impatient to get going.

For a moment, it seemed as though the walls were closing in on him. Killian twitched again, and then inhaled deeply. He wasn't prepared to spend the rest of the day cramped in this room. He hoped to be available as soon as his Blooded awoke. He didn't care what the others wanted, but since the Blooded had been brought here, he had been able to think of nothing but becoming strong again.

"Well," Killian said quietly, though his voice seemed loud contrasted against the previous silence, "I guess there's not a lot to say. The Blooded are upstairs. The arrangement was that we would get them here, and while they're here, we'll train them. And then we can take the Blood when it's at its most powerful. What are we still here for?"

The smell of blood was thick through the whole room that they all waited in, yet it didn't bother Kuro for he was use to all the smell of blood. He is a spider after all and he has to drink it all the time. Sure the blood upstairs smelt amazing, but he still held perfect control over himself. It fazed him, but not enough to turn into a blood crazed animal.

No one in the room really peaked his interest at the time, they seemed a bit boring to him, so he made no point in looking up at either of them, that is until he noticed Killian's eye contact and a bow to the head. Killian was or is gorgeous, it peaked his interest that he made suck eye contact and dared to nod at him. Lifting his hand to his lips, he hid a smirk and looked away. Also he noticed how much Killian seemed to be struggling with himself. The scent rose from him like a lit candle. He also noticed that Killian seemed to be sweating, the smell was strong, but probably only strong to Kuro, his sense where heightened especially in a small room, but he was use to the small spaced and quiet, it never did bother him, he could sit for hours, days and weeks in one spot without a sound or movement. At a point the nerves got the best of Killian and he ended up speaking up.

"Well," Killian said quietly. His voice shook a bit in Kuro's ears."I guess there's not a lot to say. The Blooded are upstairs. The arrangement was that we would get them here, and while they're here, we'll train them. And then we can take the Blood when it's at its most powerful. What are we still here for?"

Kuro didn't say anything and folded his arms over his chest, closing his eyes. Not falling asleep, but listening to the tone of breathing everyone had made when Killian spoke. It seemed they all felt a bit awkward in a way that Kuro saw no meaning of. Getting to the point of being bored he rose to his feet without a word. His crimson eyes opened and he stared at everyone, for a long time, each one of them in their eyes directly. "I just have one thing to say. Just stay out of my way and there will be no troubles with me. Don't even bother touching my Blooded either, if you can help it. If you follow these two rules from me. There will be peace between us. But if you cannot, do not expect me to take it lightly. You have all be warned." His voice was husky and deep, yet it had a sweet tone inside the husky deepness.

This was all he said he never bothered to say more or take any arguments. That was it for him. He took his seat and pushed it into the corner and sat back down with his legs crossed and his head tilted down, so that his hair hid most of his face. He was more tired than he was interested in what was going on here. And he wanted to make his warning clear while everyone was in the same room. He knew they all heard him well, so there should be no problem or excuses.

---

---

Alice revealed in the silence of the room, but didn't bother to pay very close attention to anyone's movements as she focused on the python in her hands. The creature's name was Snow, reflective of it's unique albino scaling. The creature was only one of the many 'children' she kept with her, for moments like these- when her company was less than entertaining. She tried her best to ignore the quiet whispering mummers of Ashe who sat on the other side of her. "Well, I guess there's not a lot to say. The Blooded are upstairs. The arrangement was that we would get them here, and while they're here, we'll train them. And then we can take the Blood when it's at its most powerful. What are we still here for?" Alice's blue hues slowly looked up from her python, settling on The Wolf as he spoke.

Her hair was a bright green today, let down in spirals about her shoulders. Against the red of her dress, the pop of color was startling. Alice opened her mouth to answer him, but was cut off by the sudden burst from The Spider; "I just have one thing to say. Just stay out of my way and there will be no troubles with me. Don't even bother touching my Blooded either, if you can help it. If you follow these two rules from me. There will be peace between us. But if you cannot, do not expect me to take it lightly. You have all be warned." As he spoke, Alice cooed her snake into her purse, and slowly slid out of her chair. She followed him over to where he had moved his chair, tracing her long fingernails over the back of his seat as she replied, "I love it when you threaten me, Spider." Her voice was a warm purr as her stilettos stalked past him and to the door.

"I suppose the same rules from last time are in place, then. Not that this wasn't so very charming, but, the pup is right. We have no business left to discuss. Keep your eyes and hands off my prize, and I'll do the same with yours." She smiled, a devilish expression on her ruby colored lips. "If you'd like to put your hands on me, on the other hand," she added, half in the door way and half out, "..you know where to find me." Alice winked to the three demons still seated and slipped out of the door, hips swaying shamelessly as she prowled down the hall.

A satisfied smirk settled onto her features as she prowled down one of the many hallways. The scent of the Blooded was intoxicating, turning her on and causing her heart to race with impatience. Was he awake yet? The demon smiled to herself as she turned a corner into one of the large lounge areas. No doubt the scared little does would be running from the woods as if they were on fire any moment now. Alice leaned casually against the bay window in the room, looking out at the grounds. Wake up little darling, she whispered in her mind, running her hand against the glass of the window as the sun rose in the distance. A smile lifted her features as she turned from the window and headed to the room of her Blooded, after making a quick stop by the kitchen.

With a breakfast tray on one arm, Alice slipped into her Blooded's room. She silently walked over to his bedside table and set the meal down. A stack of steamy pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs and orange juice. The Snake smiled warmly as she watched her dark headed powerhouse sleep. Turning from him, she threw open the large curtains that hung over the windows, casting light into the room. Walking over to him, she slowly sat on the bed beside him and placed her hand onto his exposed shoulder. "Wake up," she said gently in a sing-song voice. "Wake up, wake up, my prince, the sun came to see you." she cooed. "Breakfast is ready. Good morning."

---

Ashe flinched violently in her seat every now and again, the scent from upstairs turning her blood to ice. She itched at her neck impatiently as the Wolf rustled in his seat, and the spider spit venom at everyone. She was used to everyone's mood swings. She was used to the discontent, mistrust and hate between everyone. She sat silently as Alice got up and left, not before flaunting herself at the men as she always did. Ashe looked up suddenly-- noticing that Alice had left the room, signaling that everyone was free to go. Ashe glanced to the Spider, unnerved by him in every way. He was creepy. Then, her eyes floated over to The Wolf, noticing that he looked as anxious as she felt.

She slowly stood up, eager to go see her Blooded. She was sure of the new plan. Sure that it would work, at last. Being sneaky was her forte. "It's so good seeing everyone together again," she said gently, smiling a little as her eyes stared blankly at the table. She would take the warnings seriously, and made note to keep herself as far from the blooded that were not hers as possible. Nodding to the others, the dark haired girl slowly made her way out of room, turning the opposite way that Alice had gone. The more out of her way I stay, the better, Ashe thought to herself bitterly.

She had found herself closer to the Blooded, helplessly drawn by their scent. She was passing by one door in particular when she heard a ruckus going on inside. "....not immortal you know! I do eat!" Ashe blinked curiously and checked the door again. It was her blooded. She giggled to herself and opened the door, coming face-to-face with a very pissed off looking man. "Hey, are you alright?" Perfect innocence played on her face. "I managed to get my door open... I'm just up the hall, I... I'm starving, too. Want to.. um.. find a kitchen or something? I... I don't think that we'd make it out the front door but.. they've got to have food somewhere, right?" She smiled kindly and stepped side ways to let the man out of the room he felt trapped in. Ashe knew that feeling, knew it too well.

She knew better than to try and take the powers by force. The group had agreed that they would try something different this time, and Ashe had agreed upon the plan. If her Blooded thought she was one of his kind, or even just a regular human in the house, she stood an even better chance at getting under his skin. Luckily, she had the appearance of a simple girl, a girl who possibly grew up on a country side. Playing her simple look to her advantage, she smiled warming at him, hoping that he would believe her lie and accept her offer of food. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach... or, in this case... to his power. Ashe hid her malicious smile behind her sweet, tender facade.

---

---

Warren could always tell when he was in a dream, be it the vivid colors of a jungle he had never seen before or the fact that he could speak to animals. One animal in particular, the snake. It came to Warren often in his dreams, sometimes as a snake but other times as a woman. Even in his lucid state he could recall having her in dreams as a child. This time was different, the air crackled with energy as his bare feet stepped softly and silently on the forest undergrowth. "Hello?" The man called, voice echoing and reverberating around him. Still no sign of the odd white snake, which was unusual, he could sense her but not see her. There was movement to his left, a blur of scales and slit eyes. Warren smiled, rolling his eyes as he shifted direction to walk the way where he had seen the snake slither off. "I saw you, now c'mon, I could wake up any second." Warren said with impatience, gasping as he stepped on a thorny vine. Blood beaded along the bottom of his foot, though it went ignored as he stepped more carefully. "Hello-" He was about to call out to her again, but was cut off by a loud hiss next to his ear, the constricting snake sliding off a branch to rest on his shoulders, slick had rubbing against his jaw line, tongue flicking out against his cheek. "Wake up," Confused and disoriented he tilted his head, staring at the snake as it's blue crystal like eyes gazed back, the edges of his vision beginning to blur. "Wake up, wake up, my prince, the sun came to see you." It was her voice, the snake's voice, but it was so crisp and clear, not apart of his dream.

Slowly, a pair of misty green orbs blinked open, the bright world causing lines around his eyes as the man squinted. "Breakfast is ready. Good morning." His eyes shut as a blissful smile curved his pale lips, muscled arms stretching out from under the silky sheets that had covered him. Clutching his pillow to his face he buried himself deeper into the covers with a soft sigh released through his nose, settling back into the sleep that beckoned at him. Wait a hot second, this wasn't his pillow. These weren't his sheets. And that was not a familiar voice. Oh shit. Green eyes flew open in shock, jolting, sitting upright suddenly. Warren let out a shocked yelp as his forehead went thud against another skull. "Ow," Warren hissed as he rubbed his now pounding head. Looking up at the owner of the voice that had roused him he blinked, eyes bewildered as he stared at her flawless skin, full lips, and dark sinister eyebrows.

---

---

"I just have one thing to say. Just stay out of my way and there will be no troubles with me. Don't even bother touching my Blooded either, if you can help it. If you follow these two rules from me. There will be peace between us. But if you cannot, do not expect me to take it lightly. You have all be warned"

Killian almost jumped when Kuro issued his threat to the Demons seated together, and the slow, steady simplicity of the challenge made him scowl. As Kuro turned his piercing gaze upon him, Killian stared back defiantly, almost feeling the hairs on the back of his neck standing to attention. It was only when Kuro looked at the others that Killian realized that he was baring his teeth to the Demon, and he had to make a visible effort to calm down again. Killian licked his lips and then looked aside before nodding.

It only made sense that they were all protective of their Blooded, and Killian didn't envy the individual that crossed any of them. He glanced up quickly as another of their group rose from their seat. It was the Snake, a beautiful, sultry woman that Killian trusted the least. She stood, and Killian stared at her as she spoke.

"I love it when you threaten me, Spider. I suppose the same rules from last time are in place, then. Not that this wasn't so very charming, but, the pup is right. We have no business left to discuss. Keep your eyes and hands off my prize, and I'll do the same with yours. If you'd like to put your hands on me, on the other hand...you know where to find me"

Killian blinked as Alice exited and shook his head slowly. Something about her was so purely fascinating and feminine, that even Killian was momentarily distracted from the blood by those tempting hips. Not that he truly desired her, but it was hard to ignore the sweet murmur of that voice. It was at that point that Killian stood, determined to leave. Things were too close here. Much too close, and he couldn't think straight. He rose a hand and ran it through his hair, frustration emanating from each gesture he made. And that was when Ashe rose, and spoke softly before leaving. Killian didn't even hear her, being too busy setting his thoughts in order.

And then, there were just two left in the small room. Himself, and the Spider. Inhaling deeply, Killian turned his burning sapphire hues to the dangerous scarlet ones that belonged to Kuro. Killian tilted his head, almost curiously. Despite his blatant fear inspiring appearance, there was something promising, and not quite unpleasant about the male. Sure, he was incredibly good looking, in an unnerving way, but it wasn't that that freaked out the Wolf so much. It was the stillness. He licked his lips uncertainly and rubbed his eyes.

Killian knew he needed more control than this. He was acting weak, and he wasn't weak. He couldn't let himself be weak. Not again. Drawing in a deep breath, he stared down at the Spider and tried for an easy smile. "So...it starts. Good luck," He said softly, uncertainly, before turning and walking through the door.

Outside in one of the many long halls of the house, Killian was greeted with a blast of fresh, cool air, but he didn't stop. He walked down the hall, to the window that was creating the draft, and took several deep breaths of clean air while he took the opportunity to gather his thoughts. Firstly, compared to past times, the Demons appeared to be cooperating well, though all were tense and uncertain. Second, his Blooded was upstairs, and awake. Killian could feel the myriad of emotions radiating from her, and suddenly grinned. His entire physique subtly altered as he set aside the Demonic side of himself, for the moment.

Standing straighter, and walking with an undeniable spring to his step, Killian all but ran down the hall to the main staircase that led to the room where his Blooded had just awoken. Taking the steps three at a time, he bounded up the staircase, and then paused to check his appearance in a mirror on the landing. Bright, giddy blue eyes met him, and unruly blonde hair. He was wearing a simple red shirt and jeans, and looked as human as he ever had, and so, content with his form, he strode quickly along the hall, and then turned a corner.

And there, not twelve feet away from him, his Blooded was stood examining the hallway that she had found herself in, and Killian's face lit up like a child's on Christmas day. "Oh!" He exclaimed with an easy smile.

"There you are. It's Layla, right? You probably don't remember me. I'm Killian. Hi," Killian grinned, and breathed in her scent, before shivering with delight, "Did you sleep well?"

---

---

Alice opened her mouth to ask how he had slept, but was cut off by his sudden bolt upright. Instantly pain burst through her head, as their foreheads came clashing together. Rage lit her blood on fire, but she instantly doused it with a bubbly laughter as she held her head. "Ow! Hey, excuse me! I brought you breakfast you don't have to ninja-headbutt me!" She laughed as she got up, rubbing her temples as she did so. "Good morning," she said through wincing, attempting to rid her head of the slight migraine he had caused.

"I'm Alice," she added, still laughing softly under her breath, "your instructor." She slowly walked over to the high back chair by his window and sat down, allowing him room to breathe and eat if he wanted to. "It's been brought to my attention that you're having a bit of trouble getting your powers under control. I'm here to help," she concluded, gesturing to herself with a seductive smile as she added, "in any way that I can."

She let that hang in the air for a moment, allowing for it to sink into his no doubt groggy brain. Blooded were slow, dull creatures after all. "You've been brought here for training. Don't ask me where you are- I won't tell you. Don't look for your phone- you don't have it. Don't try to escape- you can't. Now that we've got all of the pleasantries covered, we can move onto a more exciting topic." She paused here to open her bag, the large white python slithering out as she pulled out a file with his name on it. "It says here that you have the power to control wind patterns and affect the weather, and also produce cyclones. Very impressive... But it also says here that you've caused quite a few accidents while using your powers, and that they can severely drain you. I've heard of your tattoo trick. Very clever, and impressive." She stopped to look up at him over the file, smiling warmly in a way that read as 'I want you'. For what, is the real question..

Alice looked back to the file and scanned across the pages. In reality, the pages were blank. Simply pieces of printer paper tucked into a folder with his name on it. Her facts she got from watching him, in and out of his dreams through Snow. "I can teach you to move objects with your mind, to move particles to make an object appear invisible to the naked eye, to mute sounds and much, much more... if you'll let me. In return, you obey what I say and we work together." Alice slowly got up, walking every so slowly across the room as Snow slithered beside her stilettos. When she was close to him she slowly bent over, shamelessly flaunting her cleavage as she held out a contract and a pen. "Do we have a deal?"

---

Warren licked his lips absentmindedly, his tongue wetting the chapped skin as his misty green eyes watched this strange woman with both wonder and caution. The man could see her mouth and lips moving, hear the murmur of her voice in his ears, but he did not comprehend a single word from her. Groggy with sleep, pain, and utter bewilderment the words were lost to him, eyebrows drawn together in confusion. "Do we have a deal?" The woman, Alice, was now standing in front of him. His eyes snapped up to her face, focusing on her liquid blue eyes. "A what?" Lowering his gaze to the paper and pen, one of his furrowed brows lifting in question. "Oh. Um," The words came out slowly as he tried to recall what she had been talking about just a few moments ago.

"Sure," Warren agreed out of politeness, not realizing what he was signing himself up for. Sliding his legs out from under the sheets he let them hang over the edge of the bed, using his legs as surface as he took the piece of paper and pen. Rubbing his eye he looked down at the words written, letters blending and blurring together. He pretended to skim over the text, finding the line at the bottom of the page, gripping the pen in his hand. As the tip touched the paper Warren gasped as something pricked his finger, watching in horror as his signature was written in blood, his blood. Handing the articles back to Alice like a wounded puppy he brought his finger to his lips, sucking the single bead of blood into his mouth. Pulling his hand back he affirmed that it had stopped bleeding before cradling it softly to his chest.

Warren looked down at his red plaid boxers, face flushing with heat and color as he looked back up at Alice, pulling the sheets into his lap. "Do you mind? The man asked as he stood, padding across the cold wooden floors to the dresser on the wall, pulling a drawer open to find it empty. Warren checked the other drawers, unsuccessfully finding nothing, turning to look at Alice. "Any place a man could get a pair of pants, at least, Alyssa? Uh, Alice?" God, he sounded like a complete idiot, but in all honesty he didn't care at this point, he just wanted to be clothed. The air was a rather chilly, causing gooseflesh to rise along his arms, a small shudder going through him.

---

---

Alice watched calmly as he took the pen, her face a completely neutral mask. "Oh. Um... Sure." A smile slowly lifted the corners of her lips as he signed his allegiance away. His blood soaked into the page, seeping into and binding the document. When he was finished, and gingerly sucking on his wounded finger, Alice placed the paper back into her folder. As she turned back around from scooping up her back, and Snow once again tucked away inside, she let her icy orbs take in the sight of her pending meal. He stood awkwardly in red plaid boxers, looking suddenly embarrassed- not that you had [i]any reason to be, with a body like that...[/i] "Do you mind?" Alice was promptly snapped from her thoughts. "Not at all, please," she gestured for him to continue, her eyes still trailing on his body. After a moment of awkward silence between them she laughed and nodded her head, as if realizing what he had meant. She opened her mouth to excuse herself, but was interrupted by him. "Any place a man could get a pair of pants, at least, Alyssa? Uh, Alice?"

"Are pants the only article of clothing you require?" Her smile was playful at best, and suggestive at worst. Chuckling to herself, she crossed the room to the drawers he stood at and pushed them closed. Opening then again, she gestured for him to look inside- where he would find an array of pants. "You'll get used to how the room works eventually. I prefer people do not go snooping through my things, so all of my things are... special." She smiled warmly at him, gently reaching out a hand to stroke his arm if allowed, "Especially you."

Being so close to him was threatening to drive her mad with bloodlust, so the snake reluctantly put some distance between them by walking toward the door. "Before I go there, there are a few ground rules we need to cover darling. First and foremost being that the others here are not as kind as I am. You would be wise to stay clear of them. Your training starts today. I'll meet you by the pond. Get dressed, and meet me by the willow tree."

With that, she left him to get dressed, and explore the building if he wished. She was a patient creature, and being in the house for so long as causing her to get cold. She wanted to feel the sun on her skin. Alice made her way out of the house directly, and within seven minutes or so she was sitting on a blanket she had laid out under the willow tree. The sun was high in the sky now, casting it's warm rays down onto the pound. Snow slowly slithered out of her bag, and up into the long spidery branches of the tree. "Do you think we will win this time, Snow?" She knew that Snow would not be able to answer. It had been years since she was able to hear her companion's voice. Longingly Alice looked up at the beautiful creature. It could be said that of all the things in the world Snow was the closest thing Alice had to love.